Reno Competition

Despite me really wanting to forget this event, I figured Nick worked so hard that it is worth blogging about. For the second year in a row, Nick, participated in the National Reno Construction Competition on ASU's team. This year he was the captain of the Heavy Civil division and after 7 months of hard works, lots of hours, and study the team travelled to Reno, NV to compete. Several recruiters and ASU professors commented on how it was the most prepared they had ever seen an ASU team. I'm glad it's over--because now I have my husband back! Between the hours spent on Reno each night, all day Saturday prep meetings, and 19 credit hours this semester, I was having to look at the pictures on the wall to remind myself I have a husband!

Memory Lane

I first met Domenic on the 22nd day of January in 2007. He walked in late to FHE and caught my eye. After a brief meeting, and a comment made to one of his friends that "I wouldn't mind to get to know him better," he tracked my phone number done from the ward "menu" as the guys all to often called it. Two days later he called, a week later our first date, 2 and 1/2 years later came marriage (plus or minus a few break ups thrown in there), and 5+ years later here we are! I was going through these pictures the other day and I literally laughed out loud thinking of the diverse dates we went on!

Our first date--the theater

We saw a play that was a comedy based on the game of golf. Very interesting, but all I knew going into it was to dress up.

One of our dates within the first month or so of dating turned into a spontaneous outing of toilet papering one of Nick and Tj's old roommates house. Seriously, who still does this at our age--but we did and it was one of the best group dates I have ever been on.

Valentines day-2007. We hadn't been dating but a few weeks, one of my girlfriends and I decided to make our potential 'guy interests' dinner. I made my mom's chicken parmigana--which explains why Domenic and I got married eventually. Pretty sure my oldest brother made his wife that when they were dating also. I'm telling you, there's something in that sauce!

Life is great these days! Love looking at these old pics with this guy by my side :)

Meet Tess

The first baby girl of the family (grand-daughter for my parents) was born December 20th, 2011 to my brother, Kevin, and his wife, Rachel. Tess Elizabeth, is her name and she is sure one sweet little snuggler! Since Nick and I weren't able to go visit for the holidays this year, I made a special trip in January to meet baby Tess and see those crazy little boys we love so much, Bennett and Liam.

She seriously is a snuggler--who doesn't love that!

Grandma Terry knows just how to calm her down.

Just love the ruffles on that baby's butt!

The most caring, big brother you've ever seen!

Oh Bennett! Sure do love this kid.

Liam--loves playing with grandma and grandpa's new trash cans and ice maker!

Such a great trip as always. Loved getting to spend so much time with my family. My dad and I spend all day Saturday in the kitchen making bread. Haha--never thought that would happen! I guess it's amazing what a new kitchen will make somebody want to learn. And, he's even called me since for help making it since I left. I'm way impressed. Just love my family, never ready to come back to AZ.

It's the Final Countdown!

Yes, it's sooooo on! Tomorrow is the beginning of the end! The first day of Domenic's last semester of being an ASU student! College will be over as we know it! And we are excited (I think I'm more excited, he's more nervous)!

So get out your party hats, pom poms, noise makers, etc--because on May 3rd there are some big things to celebrate! He's getting ready....see below!

119 days---seriously, I'm counting down!

2011 Wrap-up

Christmas=Just the two of us!

New Years=Utah

Details to come and pics to follow :)

November and December CatchUp

The end of 2011 in pictures:

With November coming to an end--so did two other things: ASU football and Nick's nasty mustache. I certainly won't miss one of those-I bet you can guess which one ;)

Seriously--the first cold night in AZ in the last year. It was in the 40's but as Nick likes to point out, I'm never dressed appropriately for the weather. So we left a little early to beat everyone to the light rail--only for ASU to lose at the very end of the game. Here I'm looking cold and irritated that they lost and I can't feel my toes.

For this freezing game they play University of Arizona. And the guy that made this sign behind us had us certainly laughing!

Our good friends the Badger's always come to AZ the week before Arizona. It is always so great seeing them. The girls shopped until we dropped and ate lots of good yummy food for energy to keep hitting up the sales :) Here Michelle and I are at Stax--such great food--must go if you are in Scottsdale.

Also this month a friend of mine taught me her secret family recipe of making bread (okay, it's not a secret this lady has made a ton of money in Utah supposedly). Well since every ingredient in bread can pretty much kill Nick these days, I had every excuse to try it out when Michelle was in town. One hour--start to finish--we got these perfect tasty mini loaves of bread!

Suddenly out of nowhere December happened! Here is it's happenings in photos:

I had a visit from a good friend from the high school days, Lindsay. She lives in San Francisco now (moving on up from good ole' Lodi), and thankfully we are both past the awkward ages of 13. She was only in town for two days, so I was honored that I got her for a whole 24 hours! So great catching up, laughing, crying, and talking about how we can't believe that we are grown-ups. How does that happen!

Yes, more time with the Badger's! We were talking with them about a month prior about how we want to go up to Denver to visit them, see their new house, and TJ and Nick wanted to go snowboarding. So we randomly looked up flights and found them for under $100 round trip. So off to Denver we went the 8-10th. It was so great to see their beautiful house, eat at our favorite spots, and even the boys had some snow to play in. Michelle's parents also came in town because they are always trying to keep up with us young folk--but we love it!

Michelle and I

TJ, John, and Nick

And what is a trip to Denver without a drive up to Boulder to see all the freaks (excuse me, I mean people) sending Washington, DC a message. My personal favorite is the sign that reads, "You can't evict an idea." Yep, pretty sure most of the country has :)

Nick conquering Copper Mountain

Back from Colorado followed a week's worth of work and Nick's finals. Yay! Only one more semester to go! The next weekend was my work Christmas Party. There were 34 of us I think when you count everyone's date. And lucky for me, I had the best looking date there! Our bosses were very generous as always and we had a great evening. Always love when gifts are Tiffany and Co.

I get to work with this good looking group of people everyday!

And I sure do love the other two full-time hygienists at the office-Kristina and Lindsey

And to get in the Christmas spirit-we hosted our annual white elephant party. Being busy being the host I totally slacked on photos, but I at least got this one with some girlfriends before the end of the night. Nick made up his own awesome game that combined Jeopardy, Name that Tune, and the Singing Bee (all in a brilliant excel spreadsheet on the big screen)--seriously I can't remember the last time I was laughing so hard. It is a game that will now have to be tradition! Nothing like seeing people trying rap, humm, and remember what artist is singing!

After everyone left and I had changed into my pajamas Nick says to me, "Jen, we didn't take one single picture of us tonight in our Christmas outfits in front of the tree." I almost considered putting back on my clothes, and then I said, "Oh well, there's always next year!" I'm just lucky to have a husband that likes to take pictures!

So here is our late at night, our only attempt at a picture-Styer Christmas Photo!

Merry Christmas!

So Much to Be Thankful for

Thanksgiving each year translates to the annual trip to Kentucky. This year Thanksgiving was on November 24th, which also happens to be my mom's birthday! It is always great to get to be there to help her celebrate. My parents have recently remodeled almost their entire house (with their kitchen stealing all the attention) and so all the kids pitched in and got mom new dishes (place settings for 18!) for her birthday and Christmas. She loved them and she more then deserves them.

It's also nice to have Nick's dad and his wife, Jo living only 3 hours from my parents. So they came down too for the long weekend and we loved having them there. We all got to chat, play games, run around with the little boys, did some shopping, and ate lots of good food. Sadly, there is never enough to see everyone when we are back. I hate that part the most :(

One thing we did get to do was have a family baby shower for my two brother's wives-Rachel and Becky. Rachel was expecting a girl and Becky a boy. It was so fun to give them gifts and to see their quickly growing bellys!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My whole family

The two cutest and funniest little boys ever-Liam and Bennett

Rachel getting gifts for baby girl!

Becky excited to see what baby boy will be wearing

We had such a great trip. It's always to quick. As always my parents are such great hosts and it was so fun to see their gorgeous totally remodeled house. Even my bedroom and bathroom growing up are different--but I guess it was time!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!